Bangalore may play host to 100-floor tower

Bangalore may play host to 100-floor tower
KSDL Factory Premises, Race Club Are Proposed Locations
Anil Kumar M | TNN

Bangalore: Here’s some scintillating news that’s sure to cheer Bangaloreans as they welcome 2009. The city will soon be home to India’s tallest tower. The Karnataka government proposes to construct a 100-storey trade centre on the lines of New York’s erstwhile World Trade Center. Proposed locations are either the Race Course or the Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd land at Rajajinagar.
Conceived and promoted by large and medium industries minister Murugesh R Nirani, an industrialist himself, the project is envisaged as a public-private partnership. “Nearly 10 investors have evinced interest in partnering with the government to build this skyscraper,’’ Nirani said. Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa is said to have given consent to the idea.
Nirani said financials of this venture have not been worked out, especially revenue-sharing with the private developer. “Very soon, an expert agency will be involved to give a feasibility report,’’ Nirani said. Project work is expected to commence by March.
The tower will offer office space, observation decks, restaurants, clubs, public parks, jogging tracks, multilevel shopping and parking areas.
According to the plan, a small portion — less than six acres — of the 64-acre Race Course would be used for the tower. Race Course is being considered for two reasons: it’s in the heart of the city and also because Bangalore Turf Club has been asked to shift to the outskirts by December 2009.
CONSIDER THESE
Why does state government want to develop a commercial/trade hub in prime government land with private developers?
Main argument for moving the Race Course from city centre is it’s causing congestion. Ensure adequate space for parking and traffic movement in the already-choked area
How about developing the rest of the area into a beautiful garden, a museum, cultural space like New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art or even a modern, big library, all of which Bangalore lacks? TOUCHING THE SKY Approval awaited for skyscraper
Bangalore: One of the proposed locations for the 100-floor tower is the Race Course. Large and medium industries minister Murugesh R Nirani said, “Even if this skyscraper takes less than six acres, rest of the Race Course area will be reserved for lung space.’’ But BTC officials have no knowledge of the move.
As for KSDL — which sits on 35 acres of prime land in Rajajinagar — the logic is the same. As the company is using only a few acres, the government might move KSDL to Dobbspet, near Tumkur. In both cases, Nirani said, land ownership will remain with the government.
The project will need multiple approvals: from the Airports Authority of India to ensure it doesn’t interfere with air-traffic routes; no-objection certificates from fire force, telecom, BWSSB, Bescom and pollution control boards.
According to a senior BBMP town planning official, “Bangalore earth capacity will support a 100-storey tower. Availability of road width, floor area ratio and sital area are vital components for any tall towers.’’ The official said both identified locations fulfil these norms and they will try to work out how to progrerss.